They both looked like five-year-olds being scolded for misbehaving. It was almost funny if I wasn’t feeling so heartbroken over the situation.
Mason and Tristan grumbled as they walked out the door. My mom shut the door firmly behind them and stomped back to the living room as I picked up my bag to leave for the bakery.
“Oh, I don’t think so. You’re not going anywhere.” She stood in my way, looking furious. “You have some explaining to do, young lady.”
Her arms were folded, and I knew there was no getting out of this.
“We’re both late for work,” I said, trying to stall.
“Talk fast.”
I sighed and dropped my bag to the floor.
“I’m pregnant.”
Mom nodded once.
“I assume Tristan is the father?”
“Yes,” I said, looking at the floor. “He wants this baby. And he wants me, too.”
“Honey, this is just too much…drama in the making. What about Regina?”
“They’re not together and they’re not getting together. Regina actually came to see me and was really supportive. I wish you and Mason would be supportive, too.”
I couldn’t stop the dam from breaking in my eyes and tears streamed down.
My mom stood there for a heartbeat before rushing over to me and pulling me into a tight hug.
"I'm sorry, honey," she said in her warm embrace. "Of course I'm supportive."
At that moment, it was all I needed in the world.
Tristan
My mom was hosting another fundraiser for the Crosby building in the distillery–and I was informed that my presence was required.
Everyone was happy and celebrating, while I stayed to myself in the corner.
I’d basically lost my best friend, and I was just waiting for my parents to find out about the baby and then have to face their wrath.
Arya, Mason, and Ellen were also all in the room. So, basically, I was in hell.
Ellen McKenna, gracious as always, pretended she hadn’t just received shocking news after witnessing her son and his best friend brawling in her living room like young boys.
For now, everyone that knew about the pregnancy was smart enough to keep it quiet. But I couldn’t stand the fact that Mason and I weren’t talking, and that I couldn’t dance with my woman.
I drank my whiskey, and it was bitter with disappointment.
If I couldn’t freely be with Arya, what was the point? I wished I could just go back to New York, but I couldn’t leave Arya now. I had to suck it up and see it through like a man.
Arya was just a few feet away from me, but we couldn’t talk. She also got the memo that we couldn’t be seen together tonight. But she looked beautiful in the navy blue dress with her hair flowing behind her. I wanted to go back to Louisville and relive every moment of our fairy tale.
She stood in a group with Regina and Shiloh, talking and laughing. I knew there was an underlying tension. I could feel it from here.
My mom walked into the room with a man who was dressed in dark jeans and a blazer. She brought him to Arya, and the two began talking, but I couldn’t quite hear them. I saw him go in for a hug and kiss her cheeks and hold his hand out as if offering a dance.
I caught Mason’s gaze. His eyes blazed back at me and I knew he was waiting to see my reaction to my mother trying to set Arya up with some other guy. Was this my chance to prove to him that I loved Arya?